Spring structure



Oct. 16, 1934. w A FALLS 1,977,051

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 29, 1932 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES SPRING STRUCTURE William A. Falls, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

Application December 29, 1932, Serial No. 649,273

1 Claim.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved spring structure which is well adapted for use in trucks, busses, cars and the like where subjected to severe usage and at the same time is comparatively light in weight and economical to produce.

Second, to provide in a spring structure of the character described a border frame which is very strong and rigid, well adapted to receive the upholstery, and even when made of comparatively light material does not spring or yield .objectionably during the upholstering operations.

Third, to provide a spring structure which is economical in its parts and in the assembly thereof and very strong and rigid when assembled.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claim.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section of a spring structure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a considerably enlarged perspective view of a piece or fragment of the rim of my improved spring structure.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the spring supporting members cooperating with the rim Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a cushion embodying the features of my invention as adapted for truck seats or other heavy use. The body springs 2 are of the helically coiled conical type, the springs being mounted upon cross bars 3. The upholstery 4 is provided with skirt or side portions 5 and 6.

The border frame designated generally by the numeral 7 comprises a downwardly facing channel 8 having a tacking strip 9 commonly formed of fibrous material adapted to receive and retain tacks, as 10, the flanges 11 of the channel being clamped upon the underside of the tacking strip.

Theedges of the clamping portions 12 of the channel are spaced to expose a portion 13 of the tacking strip to receive the tacks 10.

The border has an upstanding flange or weblike portion 14 formed of a mid-portion of the web of the channel folded longitudinally upon itself with the folds in direct metal to metal contact providing a stiif double ply flange disposed in opposed relation to the exposed portion of the tacking strip. This flange 14 is, in the embodiment illustrated, centrally located although it need not of necessity be in the exact center of the channel, as illustrated.

The spring supporting strips have saddle porco tions 15 at their ends terminating in downwardly facing channels 16 engageable over the top of the flange 14, as is illustrated.

The skirt or side portions of the upholstery 4 are wrapped around the outer edge of the border frame and lapped against the under side thereof and secured by the tacks 10.

In the upholstering operation, the assembled spring unit, consisting of the border frame and the springs mounted upon their supports and the supports engaged with the frame, I arrange in inverted position within the upholstery which is laid upon the upholstering table. The springs are compressed by a pressure device engaging the central part of the spring unit so that the upholsterer can draw the skirt of the upholstery over the border frame and secure it by tacking. Owing to the reinforcement of the border frame by this upstanding web or flange 14, it is rendered very stiff so that it does not spring or yield objectionably while the tacks are being driven into place. Further, the border frame is very stiff and rigid in proportion to the stock or weight of metal it contains, thereby rendering the structure particularly well adapted for seat cushions that are likely to be subjected to severe or heavy usage, as in trucks, busses, cars and the like. It is, however, desirable for use in automobiles, particularly where the cushion does not rest upon a platform-like foundation.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain embodiments and adaptations to particular uses which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a spring structure, the combination with a border frame comprising av downwardly facing sheet metal channel of rectangular cross section and having a central upwardly projecting flange, said channel having a tacking strip fltting therein, the edges of the flange of the channel being folded on the under side of the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a mid-portion thereof in opposed relation to the flange, the flange being formed of a mid-portion of the web of the channel folded longitudinally upon itself and disposed in opposed relation to the exposed surface of the tacking strip. body springs, and supports for said body springs having saddle portions at their ends terminating in downwardly facing channels engaging said upwardly pro- Jecting flange of said border frame.

WILLIAM A. FALLS. 

